Job Description

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU >   connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Office of Sustainability at Ole Miss is a place where people come together to take care of our beautiful campus and beloved home now and into the future. We work across resource stewardship and efficiency, diverse waste reduction, composting, and recycling, campus ecology, education, energy, transportation, athletics, and everything in-between. We are a dynamic, creative, and unique department whose purpose is to connect, care for, and find better ways of doing the things that make life at Ole Miss and our wider region great. 

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information. For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family - Facilities Operations

Sub-Family -  Construction and Campus Planning

Career Track / Level -  P1

Grade - 7

This is an entry level position and will pay at or near the minimum posted range.

Role Summary

Supports the development, coordination, and operation of sustainability programs and projects, while developing skills and abilities. The Sustainability Specialist is an entry level staff position supporting a wide range of sustainability and resource-stewardship initiatives across the Ole Miss campus, including social media, events, recycling, compost, energy, water, ecology, food, data management, athletics, and education. This role will help lead student-engagement activities including student projects, student worker coordination, the support of ecologically-oriented clubs, and volunteer events such as Green Grove and Earth Month. This role is part of Facilities Management and reports to the Associate Director of Sustainability. 

Examples of Work Performed

• Assists with student, volunteer, faculty, and intern projects and coordination.
• Establishes student sustainability project goals, objectives, and strategies; creates and implements plans for related projects.
• Embeds deeply within Ole Miss campus culture and our interconnected ways of living and working. 
• Evaluates sustainability initiatives considering factors such as cost, benefit, and practicality.
• Drafts and delivers sustainability presentations and reports for effectiveness and impact.
• Performs marketing and communications activities, including tabling, producing digital/physical content and/or managing online media, to promote sustainability practices and objectives.
• Identifies and obtains resources needed to develop sustainability programs or projects.
• Secures funding for sustainability projects by developing and submitting grant applications.
• Hosts and supports active events related to waste, transportation, campus ecology, and student engagement 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Working knowledge of sustainability landscape, including technologies, trends, philosophy, lexicon, policy environment, and science.
• Drive to create, build, and implement to completion; capability for both strategy and action. 
• Skill and sensitivity for connecting, building bridges, and working with students, volunteers, staff, faculty, and intercultural, intergenerational groups with diverse and sometimes competing interests. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Flexibility, continuing appetite for learning, willingness to try new things. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Genuine interest in people, planet, and education. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software and basic graphic design.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following. Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Assists in the development, coordination and/or operation of assigned programs or projects.
2. Performs research on a specific topic, compiles data, and creates reports detailing findings.
3. Provides recommendations to mentor based on review of applicable data.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Substitution Statement: An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered for this role. Substitutions of the required experience or education will be assessed on a 1:1 substitution basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, or related field required.

Experience: Recent experience with university student engagement programming required.

Experience: Experience with social media management (TikTok/Instagram), volunteer coordination, and/or group leadership preferred.

In lieu of cover letter - request that applicant answer one of two questions of their choice in brief paragraph form: 

1. Describe a dysfunctional system you've encountered, and how you would change, fix, or improve it.

OR

2. Explain a time you've had to overcome a multifaceted challenge, what your process was to do so, and what the result was.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion: 

• The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 45 pounds.
• Periodic outdoor working with exposure to waste, compost, weather, crowds, invertebrates, and soil.
• Must be able to traverse various terrains related to sustainability project sites.

Vision: Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

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